The mail order bridal system commonly implemented today is by no means a new one. It is said that the first settlers of the American continent, most of whom were men, could not find brides in their own country. Therefore, they had to return to Europe with the expectation of getting a girlfriend. Many years later, during World War II, American soldiers began writing love letters to women they had never met with the same expectations in mind. Marriages arranged in this way have been carried out for thousands of years and continue to be a common way of getting people married.
In the early 1980s, it was observed that Western men had a greater tendency to look beyond their own country to find their soul mate. This was done as Western men believed that extending their search would speed up the entire process of meeting that special someone, ensuring a perfect match.
At first, Asian women were predominantly those who advertised themselves as mail order brides, with Thailand and the Philippines being the main countries involved. The false notion that the typical mail order bride transaction is that a Westerner buys from an Asian woman has its origins in these origins.
The fall of the Iron Curtain saw the creation of an entirely new resource for mail order brides, seeking out the possibilities of meeting a Westerner with a view to settling down. The number of Russian brides participating in the mail order system has increased considerably in recent years.
Initially, the mail-order bridal system was based on paper catalogs, which were often printed only once. This was a more limited way for people to interact.
The introduction of the Internet in the 1990s revolutionized the mail-order bridal system, making presentations faster, easier, and more reliable. This system was more time-saving and enjoyable than the previous one, as well as attracting a substantial number of wealthy men.
The future of the mail order bridal system seems geared towards moving entirely online. This system is becoming an increasingly popular way of meeting people, ideal for the time, the lifestyles and the resulting expectations of both parties.
